Cyclists are people too

People ride their bikes for different reasons. Some ride because they can't afford a car or the insurance and the gas to support it. Some ride because there is no bus service in their area. Some ride because they love the environment. Some ride for the exercise to stay healthy, and some, myself included, ride for all the above. But no matter what the reason they ride, Motorists need to remember that Cyclists are not the unwanted parasites of the road, (enraged, selfish road hog drivers are the parasites) and Cyclists are people too. So next time you are driving down a road somewhere, whether in the city or on country back roads, if you see a Cyclist, remember that for every day they use their bike instead of a vehicle is another day you get to ride your precious vehicle before all the gas is gone, and another day you get to breathe that many less carbon emission fumes, one more person who is healthy and not a medical burden on the government, one less car on the road to get in your way or cut you off. Give them the right of way and help keep them safe, they are more vulnerable than you out there. Here are a few examples of things you can do, or not do, to respect a Cyclist on the road:

If it's getting dark, or is dark, do not flash your brights at a Cyclist. You may think their piddly little bike lamp is so blindingly bright that you have to ask them to turn their brights off by flashing yours at them as you would another motorist. News Flash: Bicycle lights do not have bright beams and their dinky little light is only half as strong as one of your headlights and you have two of them shining in the poor Cyclist's eyes. Flashing your brights at a Cyclist is more dangerous for them than their pitifully bright light is for you so quit your complaining and deal with it. Cyclists are required by law to have lights on their bikes at night, and they need to see the road in front of them as much as you do. You are protected by hundreds of pounds of steel surrounding you, the Cyclist may have a few pads and a helmet, maybe even just a helmet. They are vulnerable and if they get blinded even for a half second it could cause them injury.

When passing a cyclist you don't need to slow down unnecessarily, and you don't need to move all the way into the next lane either, but do be courteous and give them room, especially if there is no shoulder or bike lane present. Cyclists often find themselves in areas that are not bicycle friendly so help make their ride less terrifying and don't whip by them just inches away at 55mph as if they aren't even there.

Please always notice the Cyclist if you plan on turning in front of them. I know they are slower than you but show a little patience. It takes more energy for the Cyclist to have to stop for you and start peddling again than it does for you to lift your foot from the break and onto the accelerator. So if you can turn before they get to you, great, but if not please be kind and wait.

If it's raining, show some sympathy and avoid puddles, if you can safely, when passing a Cyclist. You don't know how far they have to bike and if they have to do it wet and cold it makes it all the more miserable. You are nice and cozy in your perfectly environmented vehicle with your AC or heater, the Cyclist is exposed to the elements. You will arrive at your destination twice as fast if not more than the Cyclist will so whatever negative impact you have on that Cyclist, they will suffer for it twice as long.

Cyclists have the right of way over motorists, it's the law, respect it because their lives depend on it. Not respecting a Cyclists right of way, I would call it homicidal, because you are putting their lives at risk and when you do that you are putting your schedule, your wants, above the value of their life. Please be kind to the Cyclist, because it may even be me you are passing.

Always encourage good deeds... Cycling is a good deed, you should try it sometime!
Here are some links to get you started...

http://www.goforgreen.ca/home_e.html
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/
http://www.cyclingescapes.com/Tour_of_Oregon_Coast.html